Michael Thomas ranked 72 on the NFL's top 100 list

After three straight years on the NFL’s top 100 list, New Orleans Saints All-Pro wide receiver, Michael Thomas, has made it four years in a row. Thomas has lived up to his Twitter moniker — “cant guard mike” — since being drafted in NFL. The Ohio State product increased his rankings in each of his previous appearances on the list. However, after suffering an ankle injury that required surgery in the offseason, Thomas finds himself on the back end of the top 100 rankings at 72.

Thomas in New Orleans

Thomas was taken with the 47th overall pick in the second round by the New Orleans Saints in the 2016 draft. Since his rookie season, he has been a huge problem for opposing defenses.

Paired with All-Pro and future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, he has had no less than 1,100 yards receiving in every season except for last year. In his first five seasons, he has been named to three Pro Bowls and has been named an All-Pro two twice.

The best season of his career saw him bring in 149 of his 185 targets breaking Marvin Harrison’s NFL record for most receptions in a season. He also had 1,725 yards receiving and nine touchdowns that season. After that record-setting performance, he started the 2020 season as the No. 5 player in the NFL top-100 rankings.

Trouble in paradise

There is no question that Thomas is a key piece for the Saints now and in the future. Especially with the retirement of Drew Brees last season, the Saints are going to look to him for leadership. Unfortunately given the string of events that have transpired this offseason, that expectation is off to a bumpy start. As stated earlier, Thomas was limited last season with a severe ankle injury — an injury that required surgery to repair.

However, instead of having the surgery right after the season ended, the All-Pro receiver elected to have it much, much later which bled into him missing time during training camp. This entire situation did not go over well with the Saints brass and head coach Sean Payton who said the situation should have been resolved earlier in the offseason.

It does appear though that the rift between New Orleans and Thomas is on the mend. After it was reported that Thomas had limited to no contact with the team during this offseason, he was with the team at their first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens.

If the Saints and Thomas can get back on the same page and he is fully healed from his injury look for Thomas to battle to regain the title as the NFL’s best receiver.

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

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